Spiral tool-driver.



F. E. DAVIS. SPIRAL TOOL DRIVER. APPLICATION FILED JAN.'24,19 1o.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 THE NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGRHV, n c.

F. E. DAVIS.

SPIRAL TOOL DRIVER.

APPLICATION IILED JAILM, 1910.

9'79, 1 32, Patented Dec. 20, 1910. A

2 BEBETS-BHBET 2.

ll ll llllllll 7 THE NORRIS PETERS ca., y/Asumarou, n. g.

rn STATES r FTC.

SPIRAL TOOL-DRIVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

Application filed January 24, 1910. Serial No. 539,811.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spiral Tool-Drivers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce an improved tool handle of thegeneral type shown in my Patent No. 719340.

I The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure l is a side elevation of the improved tool; Fig. 2 a longitudinalsection; Fig. 3 a side elevation with the parts extended; Fig, 4 asectional detail, about full size, of the ratchet mechanism; Fig. 5 aperspective detail of the ratchet shell; Fig. 6 a perspective detail ofthe sliding ratchet nut; Fig. 7 a sectional perspective detail of thetoothed portion of the ratchet shell; Fig. 8 a section on line 88 ofFig. l; Fig. 9 a longitudinal section, of the handle lock; Fig. 10 afront elevation, in half section, of the parts shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11a section on line 11 11 of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 an enlarged sectional detailof the outer end of the handle and adjacent parts; Fig. 13 a section online 1813 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 1% a section on line14 14- of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale.

In the drawings, 20 indicates a. central stem which, at its outer end,carries a socket head 21 adapted to receive any ordinary bit.Surrounding the stem 20, closely adjacent head 21, is a rotatable sleeve22 which may be grasped between the fingers of the operator and heldduring rotation of the stem 20. At an intermediate portion in its lengthstem 20 is provided with a quick-pitch thread 23 and is also providedwith a plurality of straight key ways 24, 24 which extend the entirelength over which the thread 23 extends. Freely sleeved upon stem 20 isa ratchet shell 25 which carries a pair of radially arranged,diametrically opposed, pawls 26 and 27 each of which is adapted to enterany one of the key Ways 24. The pawls, 26 and 27 are oppositelyarranged, so as to have an opposite effect upon stem 20, and arenormally urged inwardly by means of a spring 28, the opposite ends ofwhich engage the two pawls. Each of the pawls 26 and 27 is provided withan opening 31 into which may be extended one of the wedge shaped toes 32of a block which is mounted in a circumferential groove 34 formed inshell 25. Said block 33 is carried by a ring 36 which is rotatablymounted 011 shell 25 and held in any one of three pos sible positions bymeans of a spring-pressed ball 37 carried by the shell 25 and adapted toseat in any one of three seats 38, 39 and etl formed in ring 36.

Threaded upon the threads 23, is a ratchet nut d2 which, at one end, isprovided with a circumferential collar 4:3, and at the opposite end isprovided with a plurality of ratchet teeth or lugs 14 which are adaptedto be projected into, or withdrawn from, a plurality of correspondingratchet teeth formed in the interior of shell 25. The ratchet nut 4L2has a limited play within shell 25 to an extent slightly greater thanthe axial length of teeth 45 so that the lugs 44: may be moved into andout of engagement with teeth 45. For the most part this movement of theratchet nut is automatically produced by a longitudinal movement of thesleeve 25 but at times it is desirable to prevent any engagement of lugs4a with teeth 6L5 and for that purpose I journal a collar 46 upon theexterior of shell 25 and project a screw 47 into the saace immediatelybehind collar 43. In orc er that sleeve 46 may be readily positioned ineither of its two positions, I form a U-shaped slot d8 in shell 25 (Fig.5) through which screw 47 is projected. In order to hold the collar d6against accidental rotation any suitable means may be provided and forthat purpose I have formed a circumferential groove 51 within the collarand have mounted therein a friction spring 52 (Figv 13) which bearsagainst shell 25.

Longitudinal and rotative movement of shell 25 may be produced in anydesired manner and for the purpose of exerting considerable force on theshell I pivot to the rear end of said shell a U-shaped handle or lever55 which is adapted to be brought into line with stem 20 by being swungover a handle 56 which is sleeved upon the inner end of stem 20.

In order to prevent stem 20 and handle '56 from being accidentallydissociated I secure a nut 61 to the inner end of stem 20 and hold saidnut in position by means of the screw 62. The nut 61 is slightly largerin diameter than the adjacent portion of stem 20 and fits within anenlarged bore 56 of handle 56, the shoulder 56 being thus formed forengagement by nut 6]. to arevent the accidental complete withdrawa ofthe handle.

It is desirable, in some instances, to adjust the handle 56 relative tostem 20 and for that purpose I secure to the handle a spring 63 whichcarries a pin G l at its free end, said pin being projected through thewall of handle 56 and adapted to enter any one of a series ofcircumferential grooves (35 formed in stem 20. Spring (33 serves tonormally hold pin (34L out of line of stem 20 but may be deflected so asto project pin (34 inwardly by means of a sliding thumb piece (36mounted in a casing 67 which is secured to handle 56 and incases thespring 63. in order to normally hold lever in the posi tion shown infull lines in Fig. 1, I mount, in the end of bore 56, a plug 68 whichcarries a common cupboard-catch plunger 69 adapted to take into ashallow socket 70 formed in lever The operation is as follows: \Vith thelever in the position shown in full lines in F 1 and with collar to inits medial position, the tool may be used as an ordinary spiral driver,the stem 20 being rotated in either direction by rotation of the handlestructure. By turning collar 46 in either direction from the medialpoint one or the other of the ratchet dogs and 27 may be thrown out 01active position, whereupon the stem 20 will be driven in only onedirection by a rotative or axial movement of the handle structure, thisaction being practically the same as in ordinary structures of thisgeneral type. This operation, however, differs from the ordinaryoperation in that the ratchet dogs 26 and 27 have astraight lineengagement with the stem and have no connection with the spiral. threadso that, as the handle member is longitudinally moved in the inactivedirection, the ratchet nut 12 will be out of engagei'nent with theratchet teeth and will freely rotate within the shell 25 so as not toexert any material friction upon stem 21 and therefore so as to have notendency to rotate it in the opposite direction, as is the case in theordinary constructions. Where a greater driving force is necessary theoperator may readily swing the U-shaped lever down to the position shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1, and then use said lever either to cause arotative reciprocation of shell 25 or a longitudinal reciprocation ofsuch shell. The handle 56 will ordinarily occupy the position shown inFig. 1, but, on occasion, when a longer tool is required the handle 56may be readily adjusted on the stem in the manner already described.

I claim as my invention 1. A. tool handle comprising a central stemhaving a tool-receiving portion and also having a spiral thread formedtherein and a plurality of longitudinally extending key ways in thethreaded portion, of ahandle member journaled upon said stem, a ratchetshell sleeved upon the threaded portion of the stem, a pair of ratchetdogs carried by said sleeve and adapted to engage in the longitudinalkey ways in opposite directions. means tor retracting either of saiddogs from operative position, a ratchet nut hreaded upon the threadedportion of the stem and mounted within the ratchet sleeve. and separableclutch connections carried by said nut and sleeve.

A. tool handle comprising a central stem having a tool-receiving portionand also having a spiral thread formed therein and a plurality oilongitudinally extending key ways in the threaded portion, of a handiemember journaled upon said stem. means for longitudinally adjusting saidhandle upon the stem, a ratchet shell sleeved upon the threaded portionot the stem, a pair of ratchet dogs carried by said sleeve and adaptedto engage in the longitudinal key ways in opposite directions, means forretracting either of said dogs from operative position, a ratchet nutthreaded upon the threaded portion of the stem and mounted within theratchet sleeve, and separable clutch connections carried by said nut andsleeve.

3. A tool handle comprising a central stem having a tool-receivingportion and also having a spiral thread formed therein and a pluralityof longitudinally extending hey ways in the threaded portion, of a bandie member journaled upon said stem, a ratchet shell sleeved upon thethreaded portion oi the stem, :1 pair of ratchet dogs carried by saidsleeve and adapted to engage in the longitudinal key ways in oppositedirections. means t'or retracting either of said dogs trom operativeposition, a ratchet nut threaded upon the threaded portion at the stemand mounted within the ratchet sleeve, separable clutch connectionscarried by said nut and sleeve, and means for restraining said nut 'tromcoiiperativc action with the sleeve.

4. A tool handle comprising a central stem having a tool -receivingportion and also having a spiral thread termed therein and a pluralityof longitudinally extending key ways in the threaded portion, of ahandle member journaled upon said stem, means for longitudinallyadjusting said handle upon the stem, a ratchet shell sleeved upon thethreaded portion of the stem, a pair of ratchet dogs carried by saidsleeve and adapted to engage in the longitudinal key ways in oppositedirections, means for retracting either of said dogs from operativeposition, a ratchet nut threaded upon the threaded portion of the stemand mounted Within the ratchet sleeve, separable clutch connectionscarried by said nut and sleeve, and means for restraining said nut fromcooperative action with the sleeve.

5. A tool handle comprising a central stem having a tool-receivingportion and also having a spiral thread formed therein and a pluralityof longitudinally extending key Ways in the threaded portion, of ahandle member journaled upon said stem, a ratchet shell sleeved upon thethreaded por tion of the stem, a pair of ratchet dogs carried by saidsleeve and adapted to engage in the longitudinal key Ways in oppositedirections, means for retracting either of said dogs from operativeposition, a ratchet nut threaded upon .the threaded portion of the stemand mounted Within the ratchet sleeve, separable clutch connectionscarried by said nut and sleeve, and a lever pivotally mounted upon theratchet shell and movable into and out of alinement with the handlemember, substantially as set forth.

6. A tool handle comprising a central stem having a tool-receivingportion and also having a spiral thread formed therein and a pluralityof longitudinally extending key ways in the threaded portion, of a handle member journaled upon said stem, means for longitudinally adjustingsaid handle upon the stem, a ratchet shell sleeved upon the threadedportion of the stem, a pair of ratchet dogs carried by said sleeve andadapted to engage in the longitudinal key Ways in opposite directions,means for retracting either of said dogs from operative position, aratchet nut threaded upon the threaded portion of the stem and mountedWithin the ratchet sleeve, separable clutch connections carried by saidnut and sleeve, and a lever pivotally mounted upon the ratchet shell andmovable into and out of alinement with the handle member, substantiallyas set forth.

7. A tool handle comprising a central stem having a tool-receivingportion and also having a spiral thread formed therein and a pluralityof longitudinally extending key Ways in the threaded portion, of ahandle member journaled upon saidstem, a ratchet shell sleeved upon thethreaded portion of the stem, a pair of ratchet dogs carried by saidsleeve and adapted to engage in the longitudinal key Ways in oppositedirections, means for retracting either of said dogs from operativeposition, a ratchet nut threaded upon the threaded portion of the stemand mounted Within the ratchet sleeve, separable clutch connectionscarried by said nut and sleeve, means for restraining said nut fromcooperative action With the sleeve, and a lever pivotally mounted uponthe ratchet shell and movable into and out of alinement With the handlemember, substantially as set forth.

8. A tool handle comprising a central stem having a tool-receivingportion and also having a spiral thread formed therein and a pluralityof longitudinally extending key Ways in the threaded portion, of abandle member journaled upon said stem, means for longitudinallyadjusting said handle upon the stem, a ratchet shell sleeved upon thethreaded portion of the stem, a pair of ratchet dogs carried by saidsleeve and adapted to engage in the longitudinal key ways in oppositedirections, means for retracting either of said dogs from operativeposition, a ratchet nut threaded upon the threaded portion of the stemand mounted Within the ratchet sleeve, separable clutch connectionscarried by said nut and sleeve, means for restraining said nut fromcooperative action With the sleeve, and a lever pivotally mounted uponthe ratchet shell and movable into and out of alinement with the handlemember, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof, I, have hereunto set my hand and seal atIndianapolis, Indiana, this tenth day of July, A. D. one thousand ninehundred and nine.

FRANK E. DAVIS. [L. s]

Witnesses:

ARTHUR H. H001), THOMAS W. MoMnANs.

